Peggy Fikac: Perry happier than White at Obama visit

PEGGY FIKAC, Austin Bureau |
July 25, 2010

As plans emerged for President Barack Obama to appear at two Texas fund-raisers Aug. 9, Democrat Bill White immediately said he was otherwise engaged - while GOP Gov. Rick Perry's camp once again sought to tie Obama tightly to White.

White said he'd hew to his previously scheduled day, including a stop at the Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion.

"Every day I'm doing one of two things - I'm listening and talking to the people of Texas so they know who I am, and I'm working with people to raise money so we can communicate effectively," White said by phone. "I don't rely on national political figures to introduce me to the people of my state."

White said Perry will try to make the campaign about Obama in the hope people will forget Texas' problems. How does White think the president has performed?

"There are some policies that I agree with, and some I disagree with, as was the case with President Bush ... I think he's stayed the course in Afghanistan and helped turn around international perceptions of our country. He's spent more money than I think is prudent," White said.

Plans still were being firmed up, but one fund-raiser is to benefit the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Its location has been a moving target. An event to raise money for the Democratic National Committee has been penciled in for Austin, with entry ranging from $5,000 for an individual ticket to $30,400 per couple for VIP seating and a photo with Obama, according to an e-mail from a public affairs consultant. The DNC could share part of its take with the state party.

The consultant's e-mail said, "We must stand with President Obama and ensure that he has the support in Congress necessary to lead the county. And some of the proceeds will remain in Texas to help elect Democrats in Texas, including Bill White as our next governor."

The idea that the Democratic fund-raiser might help the Democrat running for Texas governor was fresh meat for Perry's camp, which went into press-release overdrive at first mention of Obama's visit.

Perry's camp called White and Obama "joined at the hip"; scoffed at White's dismissal of celebrity endorsements by noting that he got former President Clinton's support; and dredged up a 2009 ad in which White's picture appeared with those of Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. under the words The Dream (King), The Change (Obama) and The Hope (White). White, then Houston mayor, said at the time that he hadn't seen the ad.

Democrats said what's important are issues like education and insurance rates.

"This race is about Rick Perry's record ... not about whether or not Bill White goes to a fund-raiser," said Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said, "I think that Bill wants to run on his own merits." But she added that she wouldn't be surprised if Clinton did an appearance with White, who was deputy energy secretary in the Clinton administration.

Is that on tap? White reiterated, "We don't have plans to rely on national figures to introduce me to people in my own state."

Money for roads?

When state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, moved from heading Transportation and Homeland Security to leading Business and Commerce, he welcomed the move partly because he's concerned state leaders won't do much to address a looming transportation funding crisis. The new Transportation and Homeland Security chairman, Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, said he's well aware of the need for money: "There's no question in my mind that we need to build more roads in Texas, and to do that, we need more funding. I think everything's got to be on the table." Even a 10–cent-a-gallon gasoline tax increase, as Carona has suggested? Williamson demurred, "I think that revenue measures have to start in the House. That's all I've got to say about it at this point."

Reading the Good Book

What are you reading this summer? My colleague, R.G. Ratcliffe, asked White and Perry. Guess who included the Bible on his list? Check it out at blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics.

Week 7: Still no debate

It's week seven of waiting for Perry to agree to a debate since White released his tax returns for his time as Houston mayor. Perry's camp says a debate is contingent on White's release of returns from his time as deputy energy secretary under Clinton and as Democratic Party chairman.